Dome mine roof plate

ABSTRACT

A roof plate having a planar peripheral portion surrounding a dome. The dome portion defines an opening formed in a central portion therein and a tubular wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mine roof plates generally serve utilitarian functions within a rock orground support system designed to prevent or slow mining structuredeterioration. Mine roof plates desirably last a long time in difficultmining conditions. Attempts to make and use conventional mine roofplates have not been entirely successful, providing an opportunity forthe improved mine roof plate disclosed herein. There remains a long-feltneed for an optimal mine roof plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a mine roof plate in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of a mine roof plate of FIG. 1 viewedalong line A-A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mine roof plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of part of the mine roof plate of FIG. 1viewed along the lines of view B.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided a mine roof plate. The mine roof plate includes agenerally flat base portion. The mine roof plate includes a dome portionfixed to the base portion. The dome portion defines an opening formed ina central portion therein and a tubular wall in the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/981,570, filed Oct. 22, 2007.

Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, suchas for example above, below, upper, lower, left and right, are used tofacilitate the description of the invention. Unless otherwise specifiedor made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms and otherdirectional terms should be interpreted with reference to the figure(s)under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on theposition in which the invention or components may be used. Indeed, it iscontemplated that the components of the invention may be easilypositioned in any desired orientation for use. Likewise, numerical termssuch as for example “first”, and “second” are not intended as alimitation or to imply a sequence, unless otherwise specified or madeapparent by the context of the discussion. The term “operativelyconnected” is understood to include a linking together of the portionsunder consideration and may include a physical engagement and/or afunctional or operational connection.

The field of this invention pertains to mine roof plates. Mine roofplates are used in mines, tunnels, rock cuts, and other excavations,often with roof bolts or friction rock stabilizers to bind togetherand/or support rock strata. These components may be employed tostabilize rock formations and mining structures and desirably inhibitmine structural collapse.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4a dome mine roof plate, indicated generally at 20, according to anembodiment of the invention. Measurements discussed herein are ininches. Any suitable size or size variations may be employed. Forpurposes of brevity and clarity, the dome mine roof plate may bereferred to as a roof plate 20. The illustrated roof plate 20 isfour-sided, and has a first, outer peripheral portion 24 which has anengaging surface 28. The engaging surface 28 may be adapted to engagethe earth, a part of a mining structure (such as a roof), or any othersuitable geological structure. While the overall dimension of theillustrated generally square roof plate 20 is shown as six inches plusor minus ten percent, formation of the central portion 32 may causeadditional variation in the overall dimension—such as for example, sixinches plus or minus twenty percent. The overall dimension of the roofplate 20 may be eight inches by eight inches or six inches by sixteeninches or any other suitable dimensions.

The peripheral portion 24 may be generally planar. The illustrated roofplate 20 includes a second, generally central portion 32 which definesan opening 36 therein. The opening 36 may be located in the center ofthe dome. The illustrated central portion 32 may be generally formed asa dome extending inwardly from the peripheral portion 24. The term“dome” as used in this application may be understood to include, but isnot limited to, any structure or functionality which defines or createsa generally upward fold whose sides dip generally uniformly insubstantially all directions.

The illustrated opening 36 may be bounded by a generally in-turnedportion which defines a generally tubular wall 40. The illustratedtubular wall 40 portion defines a ring-like structure. The illustratedtubular wall 40 portion is an in-turned portion of the dome. For theembodiment shown, the tubular wall 40 is shown generally perpendicularto the generally planar peripheral portion 24 of the roof plate 20. Theorientation of the tubular wall 40 to the peripheral portion 24 is thusabout ninety degrees, though may be any suitable angle.

The illustrated opening 36 may include an apex 44 on the rim 52 of theopening 36. The term “apex” as used in this application may beunderstood to include, but is not limited to, any structure orfunctionality which generally defines or includes a tip, point, or peak.The apex 44 may be generally rounded or include an angle, as desired.The term “angle” as used in this application may be understood toinclude, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality whichdefines or creates a corner. The corner may constitute a projecting partor an enclosed or partially enclosed space. The corner may be generallystraight, generally curved or arced—or partially straight or curved. Theterm “angle” may also include the space between two lines or surfaces ator near the point at which they touch or intersect. The tubular wall 40may include a terminus 48, as shown. The term “terminus” as used in thisapplication may be understood to include, but is not limited to, anystructure or functionality which is the end or last point of anextremity.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, the distance D1 from the apex 44 tothe engaging surface 28 as shown may be within the range of from about0.750 inches to about 1.125 inches, but it doesn't have to be. Thedistance D2 from the apex 44 to the terminus 48 of the tubular wall 40as shown may be within the range of from about 0.250 inches to about0.625 inches, but it doesn't have to be. The ratio of the distance D1 tothe distance D2 may be within the range of from about 1 to about 5.0, orany suitable ratio or range as desired.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, the distance D3 across the opening 36may be within the range of from about 0.625 inches to about 1.125inches, but it doesn't have to be. If the opening 36 is round, thedistance D3 may be the diameter of the opening D3. The ratio of thedistance D3 to the distance D2 may be within the range of from about 1.8to about 6.5, or any suitable ratio or range as desired. The ratio ofthe distance D3 to the distance D1 may be within the range of from about0.5 to about 1.5, or any suitable ratio or range as desired.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, the distance D4 shown is the distancefrom the terminus 48 of the tubular wall 40 to the shoulder 60 of theinternal surface 64 of the central portion 32 of the roof plate 20. Theinner internal surface 64 of the central portion 32 of the roof plate 20may generally transition into the engaging surface 28 of the peripheralportion 24 of the roof plate 20. The term “shoulder” as used in thisapplication may be understood to include, but is not limited to, an areaadjacent to or along the edge of a higher, or more prominent part. Theterm “shoulder” as used in this application may be understood toinclude, but is not limited to the part of a hill or mountain near thetop—or a rounded or sloping part where the neck joins the body of anyobject or portion thereof.

The distance D4 shown in FIG. 2 may be within the range of from about125 inches to about 0.425 inches, but it doesn't have to be. The ratioof the distance D3 to the distance D4 may be within the range of fromabout 2.6 to about 13, or any suitable ratio or range as desired.

The in-turned portion of the roof plate 20, which may form the tubularwall 40, may be generally parallel, or concentric, with a central axis56 of the opening 36, as shown. The term “axis” as used in thisapplication may be understood to include, but is not limited to, agenerally straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotatesor may be supposed to rotate. The “axis” may be a generally straightline with respect to which a body, component, or figure may be generallysymmetrical. The “axis” may be a reference line of a coordinate system.The central axis 56 is generally perpendicular to the peripheral portion24 of the roof plate 20. The central axis 56 is shown traversing acentral portion of the opening 36. If the opening 36 is round, thecentral axis 56 may goes through about the center of the opening 36.

The generally planar peripheral portion 24 of the roof plate 20 has thethickness D6, as shown. The generally in-turned portion which definesthe generally tubular wall 40 has the thickness D5, as shown. Thethickness D5 of the generally tubular wall 40 may be within the range offrom about seventh percent to about eighty percent of the thickness D6of the peripheral portion 24 of the roof plate 20. Without wishing to bebound by theory or any particular way of preparing the roof plate 20,the tubular wall 40 may be relatively thinner due to the tubular wall 40being protruded through the opening 36 during production by stamping.The roof plate 20 may be manufactured by stamping or by casting or byany suitable method or process and with any suitable materials.

A coating may be applied to one or more portions of the roof plate 20 byany suitable process and any suitable composition. The term “coating” asused in this application may be understood to include, but is notlimited to, any structure or functionality which defines or creates afinishing, protecting, or enclosing layer. One such coating process,among others, may include an autophoretic auto-deposition processbelieved to be used in commerce by the Henkel Corporation and Steelcote,Inc.

The definitions provided herein are provided solely to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention—not to limit the invention. The inventionmay be made from any suitable material and by any suitable method. Theinvention may be adapted to fit a wide variety of uses. It will beappreciated that the components of the invention may be easily modifiedas needed to accommodate varying sizes and shapes.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and to the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the accompanying description or illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Thedisclosure may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of otherstructures, methods and systems for carrying out the present invention.It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as includingequivalent constructions. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstractis to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the publicgenerally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners inthe art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology,to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence ofthe technical disclosure of the application. The abstract and disclosureare neither intended to define the invention of the application, whichis measured by the claims, nor are they intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the invention in any way.

1. A roof plate comprising: a generally planar peripheral portion havingan engaging surface adapted to engage a mining structure, a domesurrounded by the peripheral portion, the dome defining a generallyround opening therein, the opening defining a generally in-turnedportion which defines a generally tubular wall and the dome having anapex on a rim of the opening; wherein a ratio of a distance across therim to a distance from the engaging surface to the apex of the dome iswithin the range of from about 0.5 to about 1.5.
 2. The roof plate ofclaim 1 further comprising a shoulder on an inner surface of the dome.3. The roof plate of claim 2 wherein the generally tubular wall and thegenerally planar peripheral portion are generally perpendicular to eachother.
 4. The roof plate of claim 1 wherein the rim includes a generallyrounded apex.
 5. The roof plate of claim 4 wherein the generally tubularwall has a thickness and the generally planar peripheral portion has athickness and the thickness of the generally tubular wall is within therange of from about seventy percent to about eighty percent of thethickness of the generally planar peripheral portion.
 6. The roof plateof claim 1 wherein the opening is located in about the center of thedome.
 7. The roof plate of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the distanceacross the rim to the distance from the apex on the rim of the openingto a terminus of the tubular wall is within the range of from about 1.8to about 6.5
 8. The roof plate of claim 7 wherein the generally tubularwall has a thickness and the generally planar peripheral portion has athickness and the thickness of the generally tubular wall is within therange of from about seventy percent to about eighty percent of thethickness of the generally planar peripheral portion.
 9. The roof plateof claim 7 wherein the roof plate is generally square.
 10. A roof platecomprising: a generally planar peripheral portion having an engagingsurface adapted to engage a mining structure, a dome surrounded by theperipheral portion, the dome defining a generally round opening therein,the opening defining a generally in-turned portion which defines agenerally tubular wall and the dome having an apex on a rim of theopening; wherein the ratio of the distance across the rim to thedistance from the apex on the rim of the opening to a terminus of thetubular wall is within the range of from about 1.8 to about 6.5.
 11. Theroof plate of claim 10 further comprising a shoulder on an inner surfaceof the dome.
 12. The roof plate of claim 12 wherein the generallytubular wall and generally planar peripheral portion are generallyperpendicular.
 13. The roof plate of claim 10 wherein the rim includes agenerally rounded apex.
 14. The roof plate of claim 10 wherein thegenerally tubular wall has a thickness and the generally planarperipheral portion has a thickness and the thickness of the generallytubular wall is within the range of from about seventy percent to abouteighty percent of the thickness of the generally planar peripheralportion.
 15. A roof plate comprising: a generally planar peripheralportion having an engaging surface adapted to engage a mining structure,a dome surrounded by the peripheral portion, the dome defining agenerally round opening therein, the opening defining a generallyin-turned portion which defines a generally tubular wall and the domehaving an apex on a rim of the opening; wherein the ratio of thedistance across the rim to the distance from a shoulder on an innersurface of the dome to a terminus of the tubular wall is within therange of from about 2.6 to about
 13. 16. The roof plate of claim 15wherein the generally tubular wall and generally planar peripheralportion are generally perpendicular.
 17. The roof plate of claim 15wherein the rim includes a generally rounded apex.
 18. The roof plate ofclaim 15 wherein the generally tubular wall has a thickness and thegenerally planar peripheral portion has a thickness and the thickness ofthe generally tubular wall is within the range of from about seventypercent to about eighty percent of the thickness of the generally planarperipheral portion.
 19. The roof plate of claim 15 wherein the openingis located in about the center of the dome.
 20. The roof plate of claim19 wherein the roof plate is generally square.